Painters in Prehistory

Archaeology and Art of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands

The people who inhabited what is now Texas left a unique series of narratives that provide information about almost 12,000 years of existence. Originally published by the Witte Museum (a preeminent museum on southwestern U.S. history) in 1986, Painters in Prehistory is the result of years of dedication to the story of the ancient Rio Grande canyon dwellers. This updated edition features significantly revised research by scholars who have deepened the understanding of rock art interpretation and the life of these prehistoric people, as well as scientific analysis of artifacts and coprolites.

Contributors

Megan Biesele

Stephen L. Black

Carolyn E. Boyd

Vaughn M. Bryant Jr.

J. Phil Dering

Peter T. Furst

Margaret Greco

Thomas R. Hester

Elton R. Prewitt

Roberta McGregor

Shirley Boteler Mock

Marvin W. Rowe

Praise

“Painters in Prehistory makes the case for protection and preservation in the strongest possible way.”

— American Archeology

“Painters in Prehistory features updated essays and chapters by 14 scholars, including Shafer, as well as new maps, charts, tables, drawings and photographs of rock art sites and artifacts.”
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— San Antonio Express-News

“Archaeologist and Texas A&M professor emeritus Harry J. Shafer takes us into the lives and customs of Lower Pecos canyon inhabitants during prehistoric times by exploring art works on rock as well as such artifacts as basketry, tools and mats.”

Harry Shafer is a professor emeritus at Texas A&M University. He was the first archaeologist to join the faculty of Texas A&M University’s College of Liberal Arts and has been active in archaeological research since 1962. His main research interests are lithic technology, archaeology field methods, and the archaeology of Texas, the American Southwest (Mimbres and Jornada Mogollon), and the Lowland Maya. His research spans all time periods in Texas prehistory, and he has conducted long-term...